Jan
24
Constructing a Dye Sensitized Solar Cell
Posted by admin | Posted in Solar Energy | Posted on 24-01-2011
This video provides a step-by-step set of instructions for making a dye-sensitized solar cell using fruit juice, followed by testing.
@snnvxnr Pretty close. The electrons don’t “combine” with the graphite. The carbon is a catalyst for the reduction of the triiodide electrolyte.
@kam03m: the titania layer, which is titanium dioxide, the stuff in sunscreen, has enough thickness to separate the glass plates from each-other. On a different note, the anthocyanin dyes absorb light energy and transfer it to the titania semiconductor layer, which then transfers it to the indium-tin oxide glass and to the rest of the circuit. The electrons return to the cathode, where they combine with the carbon graphite, which is oxidized and then reduced by the triiodide electrolyte. Just a
Jajajajajajaja “…just simple blackberry juice” sure!
hi thanks for that great explanations,of how to make solar cells
but how can we get this materials for our experiment
Does the electrolyte separate the two pieces of conducting glass completely?
Ok, so the excited electrons are injected into the conduction band of the Ti02 then they move towards the black alligator clip because of the electrical field created by the depletion region in the electrolyte. They are suppose to travel through the multimeter then recombine with the electrolyte completing the circuit. But since the both conducting sides of the glass are touching each other why doesn’t the electron follow the path of least resistance and jump directly to the cathode?
@nabrams1 Thank you. After I posted that, I started thinking that maybe oxidation would occur anyway. I assume the ingredients have oxygen atoms in them or that air gets introduced into the mixture during the manufacturing process. I have learned a lot from your video.
@manilaenglish You can encase the cell in Surlyn (like plastic wrap) an remove air, but oxidation is inevitable.
@nabrams1 Thanks a million for your answer and for helping everyone learn about these dye solar cells. I noticed you told S1KRYD that you expect the cell would last less than 24 hours due to oxidation of the dye. I suppose encasing the panels between glass and vacuuming out all the air would make it last longer, however could you recommend a longer lasting dye?
@manilaenglish Votlage is based on the cell (max around 500 mv). If you want to increase voltage, you need to wire in series. I would not make the cells larger than 25mm x 25 mm. After that, the current drops. Cost: I don’t know on a per cell basis.
@onlyjustice04 The resistance should be close to 0 ohm. Certainly not infinite, which is the other option.
Yes, the cell needs to be sintered. If it is flaking/peeling even after sintering, I would guess that the paste was too thick.
@S1KRYD I’d guess <24 hours due to the dye oxidizing (turning brown).
How long will these last?
Hello, I have a few questions:
1.- for the ITO, you say that the correct side must give a resistance of 0 ohms, this is true? because I hear that the conductive side must give a small resistance between 10
and 30 ohms,
2.- for the TiO film, how temperature used to make the fiilm? I mean, is necessary that the TiO2 paste sintered?
I tried make this experiment, but the TiO2 dried and is easy to remove :S, and the cell don’t works.
sorry for my english, thanks
Thank you so much for this video. 250 millivolts. So to get 12 volts we would need 48 cells of that size. Can we make the cells bigger than that? What is the maximum diameter we’re able to make the chips before losing efficiency? Also, could you tell us the total cost of materials for making a single cell?
Well i know where to get blackberry juice
but… NO , we are NOT able to produce a simple solar cell just using blackberry juice.
No idea where one would get Titania and the other chems you used.
And conductive glass ??? huh ?
@MrSolarenergy As long as the smaller cells are wired in series. Small cells are pretty much the only way to go to obtain any useful current.
can this be done on a bigger scale .. to produce usable solar energy like 12 volts
great vid ! thanks for sharing
@scum525
There are other methods, but the annealing is needed for this simple preparation.
how can one get around the annealing stage so a layer could be sprayed on to a large pannel . my autobody oven will only cook to 210 degrees
Thanks for the video Prof. Abrams. Do you know the recipe to make the iodide solution? Also where should I buy the Titania powder? Thanks.
Dilute nitric or acetic. pH 3-4 should be adequate.
The same TiO2 film application would not work since the TiO2 needs to be annealed at 400C. The PET would not survive.
Would there be any difference in the TiO2 deposition step if conducting PET (ITO-doped) were used instead of a conducting glass slide?